Trailer Hitch Recommendation for a 2008 Ford Edge to Carry Yakima FullSwing Bike Rack

Question:

Were plan on putting a 2inch receiver hitch C13067 on our 2008 Ford Edge. We intend to attach a Yakima Full Swing 4inch bike rack. You provide an impressive amount of detail regarding installation, fit, constraints and so on... BUT i cannot tell how long the hitch on the bike rack must be to guarantee the rack will clear the rear of the vehicle. Imagine a vertical plane, parallel to the back end of the vehicle, and flush with the aft-most part of the vehicle probably the bumper: HOW FAR FROM THAT PLANE IS THE RECEIVER OPENING? From your photo, I would say it is 3 or 4 inches, though it is hard to be certain. Im concerned that there may be some interference between the vehicle and the rack. It turns out Yakima has thought of this: The max distance from mounting hole to my imaginary plane is 6.5. Will your hitch meet that requirement? ALSO...the blurb describing your hitch says you need ..straps such as 18050... 18050 is a single strap. Is it correct that we need TWO straps? Finally, a strap or straps from the hinge line of the door to the rack will have to pass over the mostly ornamental spoiler, a gadget that does not appear to be designed to take a significant load it might take 50 lbs perpendicular to the surface without damage. Can you comment? How much tension should be on a strap, roughly?

asked by: Herb

Helpful Expert Reply:

I have all of the info you are looking for, but first I would recommend you go with the Draw Tite Hitch part # 75992 for your 2008 Ford Edge as it is also a 2 inch hitch confirmed to fit your vehicle but it does not have the strap requirement so you wouldn't end up having to worry about that.

The distance from the center of the hitch pin hole to the furthest point out on the rear bumper is 5-1/4 inches.

The Yakima FullSwing 4 part # Y02465 will fit this easily as it has a distance of 9 inches from the center of it's hitch pin hole to the back of the rack.

expert reply by: Jameson C